Asymmetric switching capacitor regulator

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator that is capable of providing an output voltage, covering a wide voltage range, with a high efficiency. The disclosed switching capacitor regulator is configured to generate a wide range of an output voltage by differentiating a voltage across one or more switching capacitors from a voltage across the rest of the switching capacitors in the switching capacitor regulator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/092,037, filed Apr. 6, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/148,901, filed Apr. 17, 2015, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under 1353640 and1447003 awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The governmenthas certain rights in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an asymmetric switching capacitorregulator.

BACKGROUND

There is a strong demand to reduce the size of electronic systems. Thesize reduction is especially desirable in mobile electronics where spaceis a premium, but is also desirable in servers that are placed in bigdata centers since it is important to squeeze in as many servers aspossible in a fixed real estate.

One of the largest components in electronic systems includes voltageregulators (also referred to as power regulators). Power regulatorsoften include a large number of bulky off-chip components to delivervoltages to integrated chips, including processors, memory devices(e.g., a dynamic read access memory (DRAM)), radio-frequency (RF) chips,WiFi combo chips, and power amplifiers. Therefore, it is desirable toreduce the size of the voltage regulators in electronic systems.

Power regulators include semiconductor chips, such as a DC-DC regulatorchip, that deliver power from a power source (e.g., a battery) to anoutput load. The output load can include a variety of integrated chips(e.g., an application processor, a DRAM, a NAND flash memory) in anelectronic device. To efficiently deliver power, a voltage regulator canuse a “buck” topology. Such a regulator is referred to as a buckregulator. A buck regulator transfers charges from the power source tothe output load using an inductor. A buck regulator can use powerswitches to connect/disconnect the inductor to one of multiple voltages,thereby providing an output voltage that is a weighted average of themultiple voltages. A buck regulator can adjust the output voltage bycontrolling the amount of time the inductor is coupled to one of themultiple voltages.

Unfortunately, a buck regulator is not suitable for highly integratedelectronic systems. The conversion efficiency of a buck regulatordepends on the size of the inductor, in particular when the powerconversion ratio is high and when the amount of current consumed by theoutput load is high. Because an inductor can occupy a large area and isbulky to integrate on-die or on-package, existing buck regulators oftenuse a large number of off-chip inductor components. This strategy oftenrequires a large area on the printed circuit board, which in turnincreases the size of the electronic device. The challenge isexacerbated as mobile system-on-chips (SoCs) become more complex andneed an increasingly larger number of voltage domains to be delivered bythe voltage regulator.

Another type of power regulators is a switched-capacitor regulator,where capacitors are used instead of inductors. Unfortunately,switched-capacitors are efficient only at certain input to outputvoltage ratios and become power-inefficient when the ratio deviates fromthe pre-determined values.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a voltageregulator. The voltage regulator is configured to receive an inputvoltage at an input node and to provide an output voltage at an outputnode. The voltage regulator comprises an inductor, a first capacitorconfigured to accommodate a first voltage, and a second capacitorconfigured to accommodate a second voltage. The voltage regulator alsoincludes a switch matrix that is configured to alternate between a firstconfiguration and a second configuration, wherein, in the firstconfiguration, the switch matrix is configured to couple the firstcapacitor and the second capacitor in a parallel relationship throughthe inductor, and wherein, in the second configuration, the switchmatrix is configured to couple the first capacitor and the secondcapacitor in a series relationship between the input node and a groundnode. The voltage regulator can also include a plurality of powerswitches configured to induce a current through the inductor to providea voltage differential between the first voltage and the second voltagein the first configuration.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, in thefirst configuration, the inductor and the first capacitor are in aseries relationship, and the inductor and the first capacitor arecollectively in a parallel relationship with the second capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, the firstcapacitor is a switching capacitor and the second capacitor is adecoupling capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, the firstcapacitor and the second capacitor are switching capacitors that are, inthe first configuration, at a same layer of a stack of capacitorscoupling the input node and the ground node.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, in thesecond configuration, the second capacitor is coupled to the output nodeand is in parallel with a decoupling capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, theplurality of power switches comprises a first switch and a secondswitch, wherein, in the first configuration, the first switch and thesecond switched are configured to alternate between a first state and asecond state with a predetermined duty cycle to provide the voltagedifferential between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, in thefirst state, the first switch is turned on and the second switch isturned off to couple the first capacitor and the second capacitor inparallel through the inductor, and in the second state, the first switchis turned off and the second switch is turned on to de-couple the firstcapacitor and the second capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, the firstswitch is disposed between the output node and the inductor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, the firstswitch is disposed between the inductor and the first capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, theoutput voltage of the voltage regulator is determined based on thepredetermined duty cycle.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, thevoltage regulator further includes a third capacitor, wherein in thesecond configuration, the switch matrix is configured to cause the thirdcapacitor to be in a series relationship with the first capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, in thefirst configuration, the switch matrix is configured to couple the thirdcapacitor to the output node in parallel with the second capacitor.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, in thefirst configuration, the switch matrix is configured to cause the thirdcapacitor to be coupled to the first capacitor in parallel.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, theinductor has an inductance in the range of 1-100 nH.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, theinductor is on-chip or on-package.

In some embodiments of the voltage regulator disclosed herein, theinductor has an inductance in the range of 100 nH-10 uH.

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include an electronicsystem. The electronic system includes a voltage regulator in accordancewith some embodiments, wherein the voltage regulator is configured tooperate in a reverse direction in which the output node in the voltageregulator is coupled to an input voltage source and the input node ofthe voltage regulator is coupled to a target load.

In some embodiments of the electronic system disclosed herein, theelectronic system operating the voltage regulator in the reversedirection is configured to operate the voltage regulator as a step-upregulator.

Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include an electronicsystem, which includes a voltage regulator in accordance with someembodiments, and a target load system coupled to the voltage regulator,wherein the output node of the voltage regulator is coupled to thetarget load system.

In some embodiments of the electronic system disclosed herein, theelectronic system comprises a mobile communication device.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the features of thedisclosed subject matter in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the disclosed subject matter that will bedescribed hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of theclaims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter in detail, it is to be understood that thedisclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Thedisclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, systems, methods and media forcarrying out the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the disclosed subject matter.

These together with the other objects of the disclosed subject matter,along with the various features of novelty which characterize thedisclosed subject matter, are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a betterunderstanding of the disclosed subject matter, its operating advantagesand the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be hadto the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there areillustrated preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subjectmatter can be more fully appreciated with reference to the followingdetailed description of the disclosed subject matter when considered inconnection with the following drawings, in which like reference numeralsidentify like elements.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a symmetric switching capacitor regulator and itsoperation.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a 3:1 ladder switching capacitor regulator andits operation.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a buck regulator and its operation and itsoperation.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator thatis capable of providing an output voltage that is in a lower half of thedesired output voltage range in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator thatis capable of providing an output voltage that is in an upper half ofthe desired output voltage range in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator thatis capable of providing an output voltage in the entire desired outputvoltage range in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator thatis based on a 3:1 switching capacitor regulator in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator thatis based on a ladder switching capacitor regulator in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a step-up asymmetric switching capacitorregulator in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing device that includes anasymmetric switching capacitor regulator in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate how a voltage differential may be introducedbetween two capacitors and how the voltage differential can be used togenerate an output voltage in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forthregarding the systems and methods of the disclosed subject matter andthe environment in which such systems and methods may operate, etc., inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subjectmatter. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that thedisclosed subject matter may be practiced without such specific details,and that certain features, which are well known in the art, are notdescribed in detail in order to avoid complication of the disclosedsubject matter. In addition, it will be understood that the examplesprovided below are exemplary, and that it is contemplated that there areother systems and methods that are within the scope of the disclosedsubject matter.

Modern electronic systems have been tightly integrated as asystem-on-chip (SoC) that incorporates multiple processing cores andheterogeneous components (e.g., memory controllers, hardwareaccelerators) within a single chip. The popularity of SoCs, coupled withtighter power budgets, motivates controlling the voltage and frequencyat a block-specific granularity. The block-specific voltage control canallow the electronic system to raise only the voltage of the computingblocks (e.g., processor cores) that desires higher performance. Such ablock-specific voltage control can improve power and/or performance.

However, traditional approaches of dynamic voltage and frequency scaling(DVFS) have been performed at a coarse-grain level due to cost and sizelimitations of off-chip voltage regulators. Moreover, traditional DVFSschemes were limited to a slow voltage/frequency scaling at themicro-second timescale due to the slow speed of off-chip voltageregulators. Faster DVFS in the nano-second timescale can savesignificantly more power consumed by the SoC by closely tracking the SoCvoltage to the rapidly changing computation demand.

Given the drawback of off-chip voltage regulators, there has been asurge of interest in building integrated voltage regulators (IVR)—avoltage regulator that is integrated with other components (e.g.,processor cores) in a single chip or in a single package—to reduce boardsize and to enable nanosecond timescale, per-core DVFS.

An IVR can include a variety of voltage regulators, including aswitching regulator and a low-dropout linear regulator. IVRs that canreduce the board size and can enable nanosecond timescale, per-core DVFSare disclosed in “System Level Analysis of Fast, Per-Core DVFS usingOn-Chip Switching Regulators,” published in IEEE International Symposiumon High-Performance Computer Architecture (HPCA) in February 2008, byWonyoung Kim et al.; an article entitled “Design Techniques for FullyIntegrated Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Regulators,” published in IEEEJournal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC) in September 2011, by Hanh-PhucLe et al.; and an article entitled “A Fully-Integrated 3-Level DC/DCRegulator for Nanosecond-Scale DVFS,” published in IEEE Journal ofSolid-State Circuits (JSSC) in January 2012, by Wonyoung Kim et al.,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

A switching regulator can include a switching capacitor (SC) regulator.A switching capacitor regulator can use one or more capacitors, insteadof inductors, to transfer charges from a power source to an output load.The switching capacitor regulator can control the output voltage bychanging the configuration and the sequence in which capacitors areconnected to one another.

Unfortunately, efficiencies of switching capacitor regulators candegrade at output voltages that are not a predetermined fraction of theinput voltage. For example, a switching capacitor regulator can achievehigh efficiencies at ½, ⅓, ⅔, ⅖, ⅗ of the input voltage. However, thesame switching capacitor regulator can fail to provide high efficiencieswhen the output voltage deviates from those values. This is a problemfor many SoCs that operate within a continuous range of voltages, or arange of voltages in 5-10 mV steps.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a symmetric switching capacitor regulator thatcan achieve high efficiency when the output voltage V_(OUT) 104 is closeto a fraction of an input voltage V_(IN) 102. In this particularexample, the fraction is ⅓. The switching capacitor regulator includes aplurality of capacitors C_(SW1) 106, C_(SW2) 108, and C_(OUT) 119, and aswitch matrix (not shown in figure for simplicity). A switch matrix caninclude a plurality of switches.

In a switching capacitor regulator, switching capacitors C_(SW1) 106 andC_(SW2) 108 can be connected in different ways depending on how theswitch matrix is connected and disconnected, while a decouplingcapacitor C_(OUT) 119 is always coupled to the output V_(OUT) 104 toreduce noise on the output. The decoupling capacitor C_(OUT) 119 isusually a large capacitor that reduces the noise or ripple of the outputvoltage V_(OUT) 104.

Depending on the configuration of the switch matrix, the switchingcapacitor regulator can be in State 0 or State 1. The switches can turnon and off periodically (e.g., at a certain frequency) so that theswitching capacitors C_(SW1) 106, C_(SW2) 108 alternate between State 0and 1 periodically as well. As shown in FIG. 1B, the regulator can spendtime 0−T₀ in State 0 and T₀−(T₀+T₁) in State 1.

In State 1, the first voltage V_(SW1) across the switch capacitorC_(SW1) 106 and the second voltage V_(SW2) across C_(SW2) 108 are equalto the output voltage V_(OUT) 104. Assuming that the switchingcapacitors C_(SW1) 106, C_(SW2) 108 are large enough, the first andsecond voltages (V_(SW1) and V_(SW2)) can stay roughly the same in bothStates 0 and 1. Therefore, when the capacitor configuration changes toState 0, the relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 can becomputed as V_(IN)=V_(OUT)+V_(SW1)+V_(SW2)=3 V_(OUT). Therefore, theoutput voltage V_(OUT) 104 can be set to ⅓ of V_(IN) 102 in thisspecific example. This switching capacitor regulator is sometimesreferred to as a 3:1 step-down switching capacitor regulator. Moreparticularly, this specific type of switching capacitor regulator issometimes referred to as a 3:1 series-to-parallel switching capacitorregulator because the two switching capacitors C_(SW1) 106, C_(SW2) 108are connected in series in State 0, and connected in parallel in State1. The output load that consumes the current 118 can be any type of anelectronic device, including processors, memory (e.g., DRAM, NANDflash), RF chips, WiFi combo chips, and power amplifiers.

Oftentimes, the fractional value of the input voltage V_(IN) 102 atwhich the switching capacitor regulator achieves high efficiency isdetermined by the number of stacked capacitors between the input nodeand the ground during State 0. For example, in FIG. 1A, the number ofstacked capacitors between the input node (e.g., the node at which theinput voltage V_(IN) 102 is provided) and the ground node is 3.Therefore, the switching capacitor regulator achieves a high efficiencywhen its output voltage is ⅓ of the input voltage V_(IN) 102. When thenumber of stacked capacitors between the input node and the ground nodeis increased to N, the switching capacitor regulator can achieve a highefficiency when its output voltage is 1/N of the input voltage V_(IN)102.

A capacitor in a stacked capacitor configuration can be associated witha “layer” within the stack. For example, when the stacked capacitorconfiguration between the input node and the ground node has 3capacitors, as in State 0 of FIG. 1A, the capacitor connected to theground node (e.g., C_(OUT) 110) is said to be at a first layer; thecapacitor connected to the input node (e.g., C_(SW1) 106) is said to beat a third layer; and the capacitor sandwiched between the first layerand the third layer (e.g., C_(SW2) 108) is said to be at a second layer.In some cases, the layer of a particular capacitor within a stack ofcapacitors can be determined by counting the minimum number ofcapacitors between the particular capacitor and the ground in a seriesrelationship. A first capacitor and a second capacitor are said to be atthe same layer within the stack of capacitors when (1) the minimumnumber of capacitors between the first capacitor and the ground node ina series relationship, and (2) the minimum number of capacitors betweenthe second capacitor and the ground node in a series relationship, arethe same.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a 3:1 ladder switching capacitor regulator, whichis slightly different from FIGS. 1A and 1B in how the switchingcapacitors are connected. Similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the capacitorsalternate between States 0 and 1 using a switch matrix (not drawn inthis figure for simplicity) that connect and disconnect the switchingcapacitors. As shown in FIG. 2B, the regulator can spend time 0−T₀ inState 0 and T₀−(T₀+T₁) in State 1.

In State 0, the voltage V_(SW4) across C_(SW4) 216 is equal to theoutput V_(OUT) 104, and the voltage V_(SW2) across C_(SW2) 208 is equalto the voltage V_(SW3) across C_(SW3) 214. In State 1, the voltageV_(SW3) across C_(SW3) 214 is equal to the output voltage V_(OUT) 104,and the voltage V_(SW4) across C_(SW4) 216 is equal to the voltageV_(SW1) across C_(SW1) 206. To summarize:

In State 0: V _(SW4) =V _(OUT) , V _(SW2) =V _(SW3) , V _(IN) =V _(SW1)+V _(SW2) +V _(OUT)

In State 1: V _(SW3) =V _(OUT) , V _(SW4) =V _(SW1) , V _(IN) =V _(SW1)+V _(SW2) +V _(OUT)

Assuming all capacitor values are large enough to make the voltagesacross them stay roughly the same in both State 0 and 1, V_(SW1),V_(SW2), V_(SW3), V_(SW4) all become roughly equal to V_(OUT). As aresult, the relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 can becomputed as V_(IN)=V_(SW1)+V_(SW2)+V_(OUT)=3 V_(OUT). This specific typeof switching capacitor regulator is called a 3:1 ladder switchingcapacitor regulator because the way the two switching capacitors C_(SW4)216, C_(SW2) 208 are connected in series, and two switching capacitorsC_(SW3) 214, C_(SW3) 214 are connected in series, looks like two laddersside-by-side.

More generally, similar to the switching capacitor regulator of FIG. 1A,when the number of stacked capacitors (e.g., a number of capacitors in aseries relationship) between the input node and the ground node is N,the ladder switching capacitor regulator can achieve a high efficiencywhen its output voltage is 1/N of the input voltage V_(IN) 102. In theparticular case of FIG. 2A, the number of capacitors in a seriesrelationship is 3 (e.g., C_(SW1) 206—C_(SW3) 214—C_(OUT) 110).Therefore, the particular ladder switching capacitor regulator of canachieve a high efficiency when its output voltage is ⅓ of the inputvoltage V_(IN) 102.

In the two examples illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the switching capacitorregulators can set V_(OUT) 104 to be ⅓ of V_(IN) 102 with relativelyhigh power efficiency (e.g., without significant power loss). However,considering real-world second order effects, the capacitor voltages donot stay steady in State 0 and 1 as assumed in the equations above, butchange as the capacitors are charged and discharged over time. Thisallows the switching capacitor regulators to provide an output voltageV_(OUT) 104 that deviates from ⅓ of V_(IN) 102.

However, as the output voltage V_(OUT) 104 deviates further from ⅓ ofV_(IN) 102, the switching capacitor regulator would consume more powerto regulate the output voltage V_(OUT). As a result, the powerefficiency of the switching capacitor regulator would degrade as theoutput voltage V_(OUT) 104 deviates further from ⅓ of V_(IN) 102. Thisis a problem for SoCs that need the regulator to provide a voltage thatcovers a wide voltage range in small steps (around 5 mV).

The present disclosure provides an asymmetric switching capacitorregulator that is capable of providing an output voltage, covering awide voltage range, with a high efficiency. The disclosed switchingcapacitor regulator is configured to generate a wide range of an outputvoltage by differentiating a voltage across one or more switchingcapacitors from a voltage across the rest of the switching capacitors inthe switching capacitor regulator.

Conventional switching capacitor regulators are only good at setting theoutput voltage to a predetermined fraction of the input voltage in partbecause the voltage across all switching capacitors are equal during,for example, State 1 of FIG. 1A. Using more switching capacitors doesnot help in this regard. By stacking more switching capacitors in State0, the regulator can set the output to be ½, ⅓, ¼, ⅕ (and so on) of theinput voltage, but the regulator cannot provide an output voltage thatdeviates from a fraction of an input voltage with a high efficiency.

However, when one or more switching capacitors are associated withdifferent voltages, the output voltage of the switching capacitor candeviate from a fraction of an input voltage with a high efficiency. Forexample, instead of stacking three switching capacitors with voltagesthat all equal V_(OUT), suppose that the three switching capacitors havevoltages that equal to V_(OUT), V_(OUT), 1.2×V_(OUT), respectively. Inthis case, V_(IN) would be computed asV_(IN)=V_(OUT)+V_(OUT)+1.2×V_(OUT)=3.2×V_(OUT). Therefore, the outputvoltage V_(OUT) can be set to 1/(3.2) of V_(IN), which is not afractional value of the input voltage that is determined based on thenumber of capacitors in the stack.

This shows that, if the switching capacitor regulator can set theswitching capacitor voltage to be an arbitrary value, the switchingcapacitor regulator can provide an arbitrary output voltage that is notfixed to a fractional value of the input voltage V_(IN). The presentdisclosure provides switching capacitor regulators that are capable ofsetting a voltage across a switching capacitor to an arbitrary value.This way, the regulators can provide an output voltage that is not afractional value of the input voltage that is determined based on thenumber of capacitors in a capacitor stack. Several embodiments of anasymmetric switching capacitor regulator disclosed herein use one ormore inductors to set a voltage across a switching capacitor to anarbitrary value. The voltage regulators disclosed herein arecollectively referred to as an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator.

There are at least two main advantages to an asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator. First, the regulator can set V_(OUT) to be anyvalue and not be fixed at predetermined ratios of V_(IN). Second, theregulator can regulate across a wide range of V_(OUT) using lesscapacitors than a symmetric switching capacitor regulator. For example,suppose the desired range of the output voltage V_(OUT) is 0.6˜1.4V andV_(IN) is 3.6V. A symmetric switching capacitor regulator needs thecapacitor voltage to be V_(OUT), so it needs at least 6 stackedcapacitors to support the minimum V_(OUT) of 0.6V (3.6/0.6=6). However,an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can set a switchingcapacitor voltage to be different from V_(OUT). Therefore, the number ofcapacitors in the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can be lessthan the number of capacitors in the symmetric switching capacitorregulator.

The operation of an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator is relatedto an operation of a buck regulator. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a buckregulator and its operation. The buck regulator 300 can include aninductor 308 and two switches 314, 316. The buck regulator 300 canconnect the inductor 308 to a first voltage source V_(IN) 102 and asecond voltage source 112 through a set of power switches 314, 316. Insome cases, the second voltage source 112 can include a ground voltagesource. The power switches 314, 316 can be turned on and off usingexternal inputs. In some cases, the power switches 314, 316, can becontrolled so that the two switches are not turned on at the same time.The power switches 314, 316 can include transistors.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, as the power switches 314, 316 turn on andoff with a period T, the input of the inductor V_(X) 302 can swingbetween 0 and V_(IN) 102 with a period T. The inductor 308 and capacitor110 operate as a low-pass filter that averages V_(X) 302 over time,thereby creating a signal at the regulator output V_(OUT) 310 with asmall voltage ripple. The output voltage V_(OUT) 104 can depend on theamount of time the inductor 308 is coupled to the first voltage sourceV_(IN) 102 and the amount of time the inductor 308 is coupled to thesecond voltage source 318. For example, the buck regulator 300 canadjust the output voltage V_(OUT) 310 to V_(IN)D+(0V)(1-D), where D, anumber between 0 and 1, is the portion of time V_(X) is coupled toV_(IN). D is also referred to as a duty cycle.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can usea property of the buck regulator 300 that it can provide a voltagedifferential between the output voltage V_(OUT) 310 and the inputvoltage V_(IN) by temporarily coupling the input node (e.g., a node thatis coupled to the input voltage V_(IN)) to the output node (e.g., a nodethat is coupled to the output voltage V_(OUT)) through an inductor 308.This property is used in the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator toinduce a voltage differential between capacitors in the asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator: by temporarily coupling a first capacitorwith a second capacitor through an inductor.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate how a voltage differential may be introducedbetween two capacitors and how the voltage differential can be used togenerate an output voltage in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 11Ashows a regulator that includes a first capacitor 1102, a secondcapacitor 1104, and an inductor 1106. The regulator can initiate itsoperation in State 0, which is shown in FIG. 11A. In this state, thefirst capacitor 1102 and the second capacitor 1104 are coupled in aparallel relationship through the inductor 1106: the second capacitor1104 is connected to the output node via an inductor 1106, which isunlike traditional switching capacitor regulators. Two capacitors aresaid to be in a parallel relationship through an inductor when the twocapacitors are otherwise in a parallel relationship but for an inductorthat is disposed between the capacitors.

In this state, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can induce avoltage differential between the first capacitor 1102 and the secondcapacitor 1104 by inducing a current through the inductor 1106. In someembodiments, the inductor 1106 can be connected to (e.g., switched to)different voltages, as in a buck regulator, to induce a current throughthe inductor 1106, and this current through the inductor 1106 can createa voltage differential between the first capacitor 1102 and the secondcapacitor 1104.

Once the voltage differential is developed between the first capacitor1102 and the second capacitor 1104, the regulator can switch to State 1,as shown in FIG. 11B. In this state, the first capacitor 1102 and thesecond capacitor 1104 are coupled in a series relationship between theinput node and the ground node, independently of the inductor 1106.Therefore, the input voltage V_(IN) is the sum of the voltage V₁ acrossthe first capacitor 1102, which is equal to V_(OUT), and the voltage V₂across the second capacitor 1104. Said differently, V_(OUT)=V_(IN)-V₂.Since the voltage V₂ across the second capacitor 1104 can be variedcontinuously (e.g., by varying the duty cycle at which the inductor 1106is switched during State 0), the output voltage V_(OUT) can be variedcontinuously as well.

In some embodiments, the first capacitor 1102 can be a decouplingcapacitor that is always coupled to an output node and a ground node,and the second capacitor 1104 can be a switching capacitor. In otherembodiments, the first capacitor 1102 and the second capacitor 1104 canboth be switching capacitors.

In some embodiments, when both of the first capacitor 1102 and thesecond capacitor 1104 are switching capacitors, then the first capacitor1102 and the second capacitor 1104 can be associated with the same layerwithin a capacitor stack of a switching capacitor regulator during State0.

FIG. 4A illustrates an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator inaccordance with some embodiments. Similar to a symmetric switchingcapacitor disclosed in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, there is one outputdecoupling capacitor C_(OUT) 110 and one switching capacitor C_(SW1) 406that can switch positions using a switch matrix (not drawn in FIG. 4Afor simplicity).

The asymmetric switching capacitor regulator is configured to alternatebetween State 0 and State 1 based on how C_(SW1) 406 is connected. FIG.4B illustrates a switch matrix coupled to the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator of FIG. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments. Theswitch matrix includes four switches SW3 430, SW4 432, SW5 434, and SW6436 that are used to connect and disconnect the top and bottom plates ofswitching capacitor C_(SW1) 406 to different nodes in State 0 and State1. For example, in State 0, the switches SW3 430, SW4 432 are turned onand the switches SW5 434, SW6 436 are turned off; in State 1, theswitches SW3 430, SW4 432 are turned off and the switches SW5 434, SW6436 are turned on. For simplicity, the switch matrix associated with oneor more switching capacitors is omitted in subsequent figures.

A difference between an asymmetric symmetric switching capacitor of FIG.4A and symmetric switching capacitor regulators of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and2B is that in State 1, there is an inductor 428 between C_(OUT) 110 andC_(SW1) 406. This inductor 426 allows the voltage across C_(OUT) 110,which is equal to the output voltage V_(OUT) 104, and the voltage acrossC_(SW1) 406 (V_(CSW1) 426) to be different. Furthermore, V_(CSW1) 426 isdetermined by a duty-cycle at which the power switches 420, 422 areturned on and off during State 1.

FIG. 4C shows an operation of an asymmetric switching capacitorregulator illustrated in FIG. 4A in accordance with some embodiments. InState 0, both switches 420, 422 can turn off and V_(X) 424 can be equalto V_(OUT) 104. In this state, the input voltage V_(IN) 102 isindependent of V_(X) 424, and it can be computed as V_(IN) 102=V_(CSW1)426+V_(OUT) 104.

In State 1, the switches 420, 422 can operate similarly to powerswitches of a buck regulator, illustrated in FIG. 3A. For example, inState 1, the configuration is similar to a buck regulator where theinput of the buck regulator is V_(CSW1) 426 and the output of the buckregulator is V_(OUT) 104. Therefore, the input voltage of the inductorV_(X) 424 can swing between 0 and V_(CSW1) 426 with a period that isequal to or less than T₁. In some sense, the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator is operating in two sub-states within State 1. Forexample, in sub-state 0 of State 1, SW1 is on and SW2 is off for theperiod of DT₁, and in sub-state 1 of State 1, SW1 is off and SW2 is onfor the period of (1−D)T₁. In some cases, the two switches SW1 and SW2may alternate between the two sub-states multiple times within State 1.

The two switches 420, 422 can adjust the level of V_(OUT) 104 toV_(CSW1)D+(0V)(1−D), where the duty cycle D, having a value between 0and 1, indicates a fraction of T₁ that V_(X) is coupled to V_(CSW1) 426.Since the input voltage V_(IN) 102 and the output voltage V_(OUT) 104are presumed to remain constant in State 0 and State 1, the relationshipbetween V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 can be determined as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{OUT}\mspace{14mu} 104} = {{{V_{{CSW}\; 1}D} + {\left( {0V} \right)\left( {1 - D} \right)}} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1}D}}} \\{{V_{IN}\mspace{14mu} 102} = {{V_{{CSW}\; 1}\mspace{14mu} 426} + {V_{OUT}\mspace{14mu} 104}}} \\{= {{V_{{CSW}\; 1}\mspace{14mu} 426} + {V_{{CSW}\; 1}D}}} \\{= {V_{{CSW}\; 1}\left( {1 + D} \right)}} \\{= {{V_{OUT}\left( {1 + D} \right)}/D}}\end{matrix}$

Therefore, the output voltage of the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator is determined as follows:

$V_{OUT} = \frac{{DV}_{IN}}{D + 1}$

Since D indicates a duty cycle, the value of D is between 0 and 1.Therefore, the range of the output voltage V_(OUT) 104 is 0V and

$\frac{V_{IN}}{2}.$

A typical 2:1 switching capacitor regulator, without the inductor 428,is efficient only when V_(OUT) is around ½ of V_(IN) 102. However, withthe introduction of the inductor 428, the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator disclosed in FIG. 4A can be efficient across a wider voltagerange (0V and

$\left. \frac{V_{IN}}{2} \right)$

by adjusting the value of D. Since the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator of FIG. 4A provides an output voltage that is in the lowerhalf of the range 0-V_(IN), the asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorof FIG. 4A can be referred to as a lower asymmetric switching capacitorregulator.

FIG. 5A illustrates an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator that iscapable of providing an output voltage that is in the upper half of therange 0-V_(IN) in accordance with some embodiments. Such an asymmetricswitching capacitor is sometimes referred to as an upper asymmetricswitching capacitor. A difference between the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator of FIG. 4A and the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator of FIG. 5A is the location of switches SW3 430 and SW4 432with respect to the inductor 428. The switches SW3 430 and SW4 432 againoperate similarly to power switches in a buck regulator. However, inFIG. 5A, the input voltage to the buck regulator is V_(OUT) 104 and theoutput voltage to the buck regulator is V_(CSW1) 426, which is theopposite of the configuration in FIG. 4A. Similar to the regulator inFIG. 4A, the relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 can becomputed as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{{V_{{CSW}\; 1}\mspace{14mu} 426}\; = {{{V_{OUT}D} + {\left( {0V} \right)\left( {1 - D} \right)}} = {V_{OUT}D}}} \\{{V_{IN}\mspace{14mu} 102} = {{V_{{CSW}\; 1}\mspace{14mu} 426} + {V_{OUT}\mspace{14mu} 104}}} \\{= {{V_{OUT}D} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {V_{OUT}\left( {1 + D} \right)}}\end{matrix}$

Therefore, the output voltage of the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator in FIG. 5A is determined as follows:

$V_{OUT} = \frac{V_{IN}}{\left( {D + 1} \right)}$

Since D indicates a duty cycle, the value of D is between 0 and 1.Therefore, the range of the output voltage V_(OUT) 104 of the asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator in FIG. 5A is

$\frac{V_{IN}}{2}$

and V_(IN) 102.

In some embodiments, the lower asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorof FIG. 4A and the upper asymmetric switching capacitor regulator ofFIG. 5A can be combined into a single asymmetric switching capacitorregulator, thereby providing an output voltage in the full range of0V-V_(IN).

FIG. 6A illustrates an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator that iscapable of providing an output voltage in the full range of 0V-V_(IN) inaccordance with some embodiments. The asymmetric switching capacitorregulator includes four switches SW1 426, SW2 428, SW3 430 and SW4 432.By turning the switches SW1 426, SW2 428, SW3 430 and SW4 432 on and offin a particular pattern, this regulator can operate either as a lowerasymmetric switching capacitor regulator or an upper asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B,the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator of FIG. 6A can be used as alower asymmetric switching capacitor regulator by turning off SW3 430and turning on SW4 432 during the entire State 0 and State 1. As anotherexample, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator of FIG. 6A can be used as an upper asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator by turning off SW2 422 and turning on SW1 420 duringthe entire State 0 and State 1. This way, V_(OUT) 104 can be efficientlyregulated to a value between 0 and V_(IN) 102.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator caninclude a plurality of switching capacitors. FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate anasymmetric switching capacitor regulator that is based on a 3:1series-to-parallel switching capacitor regulator, instead of the 2:1switching capacitor regulators as in FIGS. 4-6, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 7A illustrates a regulator where C_(SW1) 406 and C_(SW2) 702 areswitched to the opposite side of V_(OUT) 104 in State 1. FIG. 7Billustrates a regulator in which C_(SW2) 702 is switched to the sameside of V_(OUT) 104 in State 1. The switching location of C_(SW2W) 702can be determined based on the target input-to-output

$\left( \frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}} \right)$

ratio.

For example, in FIG. 7A, voltages V_(SW1) and V_(SW2), across C_(SW1)406 and C_(SW2) 702, respectively, are set by the duty cycle of switchesSW1 426, SW2 428, SW3 430 and SW4 432. Let's assume SW1 420 is on andSW2 422 is off for the entire State 0 and State 1, and SW4 432 and SW3430 are on and off with a duty cycle D. The relationship between V_(IN)102 and V_(OUT) 104 can be computed as follows:

V_(CSW 1) = V_(CSW 2) = V_(OUT)D + (0 V)(1 − D) = V_(OUT)D$\begin{matrix}{{V_{IN}102} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 2} + {V_{OUT}104}}} \\{= {{2\; V_{OUT}D} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {V_{OUT}\left( {1 + {2\; D}} \right)}}\end{matrix}$

As a result,

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be between 1 and 3.

As another example, in FIG. 7B, V_(SW2) is equal to V_(OUT) 104, andonly V_(SW1) is set by the duty cycle of switches. Let's assume the samecondition where SW1 420 is on and SW2 422 is off for the entire State 0and State 1, and SW4 432 and SW3 430 are on and off with a duty cycle D.The relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 can be computed asfollows:

V_(CSW 1) = V_(OUT)D + (0 V)(1 − D) = V_(OUT)DV_(CSW 2) = V_(OUT) $\begin{matrix}{{V_{IN}102} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 2} + {V_{OUT}104}}} \\{= {{V_{OUT}D} + V_{OUT} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {V_{OUT}\left( {2 + D} \right)}}\end{matrix}$

As a result,

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be between 2 and 3.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator canhave more than 3 stacks of switching capacitors (e.g., 4 stacks, 5stacks, 6 stacks and so on). This way, the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator can be formed based on, for example, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1series-to-parallel switching capacitor regulators.

In some embodiments, when an asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorincludes a plurality of switching capacitors, as in FIG. 7A, eachswitching capacitor can be associated with a switch matrix, as providedin FIG. 4B. In some cases, each switch matrix can include four switches.

In some embodiments, asymmetric switching capacitor regulators can bedesigned not only based on series-to-parallel switching capacitorregulators, but also based on a ladder switching capacitor regulator, anexample of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator basedon a ladder switching capacitor regulator in accordance with someembodiments. The ladder switching capacitor regulator used in FIGS.8A-8B is a 3:1 ladder switching capacitor regulator. Unlike thetraditional 3:1 ladder switching capacitor regulator illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, there is an inductor 802 between C_(SW2) 208 andC_(SW3) 214 so that the voltages across these two capacitors, V_(CSW2)and V_(CSW3,) respectively, can be different. Similar to the previousexamples in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B, therelationship between V_(CSW2) and V_(CSW3) can be set by a switch matrixSW1 820, SW2 822, SW3 830, SW4 832, connecting and disconnecting theinductor 802 on a certain duty-cycle.

In some embodiments, similar to FIG. 6A, by turning the switches SW1820, SW2 822, SW3 830, SW4 832 on and off in a particular pattern, theregulator in FIG. 8A can operate either as a lower asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator or an upper asymmetric switching capacitorregulator.

For example, in State 0, SW1 820 can be turned on and SW2 822 can beturned off, and SW4 832 and SW3 830 can be turned on and off with a dutycycle D₀. Also, in State 1, SW4 832 can be turned on and SW3 830 can beturned off, and SW1 820 and SW2 822 can be turned on and off with a dutycycle D₁. In this example, the relationship between V_(IN) 102 andV_(OUT) 104 can be computed as follows:

V_(CSW 4) = V_(OUT) V_(CSW 3) = V_(OUT)V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 2) + V_(CSW 4) → V_(CSW 1) = V_(CSW 2)V_(CSW 3) = D₀V_(CSW 2) → V_(OUT) = D₀V_(CSW 1)V_(CSW 4) = D₁V_(CSW 1) → V_(CSW 1) = V_(OUT)/D₁ D₀ = D₁$\begin{matrix}{{V_{IN}102} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 3} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {{V_{OUT}/D_{1}} + V_{OUT} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {\left( {2 + {1/D_{1}}} \right)V_{OUT}}}\end{matrix}$

As a result

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be equal to or greater than 3. In contrast to the ladder switchingcapacitor regulator of FIG. 2A, V_(CSW1), V_(CSW2) are not equal toV_(OUT) (e.g., V_(CSW1)=V_(OUT)/D₁). Therefore, the output voltageV_(OUT) is not a fraction of the input voltage V_(IN) determined by thenumber of stacks.

As another example, in State 0, SW4 832 can be turned on and SW3 830 canbe turned off, and SW1 820 and SW2 822 can be turned on and off with aduty cycle D₀. Also, in State 1, SW1 820 can be turned on and SW2 822can be turned off, and SW3 830 and SW4 832 can be turned on and off witha duty cycle D₁. In this example, the relationship between V_(IN) 102and V_(OUT) 104 can be computed as follows, assuming that D0=D1:

V_(CSW4)=V_(OUT)

V_(CSW3)=V_(OUT)

V _(CSW1) +V _(CSW3) =V _(CSW2) +V _(CSW4) →V _(CSW1) =V _(CSW2)

V _(CSW2) =D ₀ V _(CSW3) →V _(CSW1) =D ₀ V _(OUT)

V _(CSW1) =D ₁ V _(CSW4) →V _(CSW1) =D ₁ V _(OUT)

Therefore, D0=D1. Based on this relationship, the input voltage V_(IN)102 can be represented as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{V_{IN} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 3} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {{D_{0}V_{OUT}} + V_{OUT} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {\left( {2 + D_{0}} \right)V_{OUT}}}\end{matrix}$

As a result,

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be between 2 and 3. Combined with the mode of operation disclosed inthe previous example, the regulator in FIG. 8A can adjust

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

to be equal to or greater than 2.

In some embodiments, the inductor 802 can be provided in series withother switching capacitors within the regulator. For example, in FIG.8B, the inductor 802 is in a different location. Unlike the traditional3:1 ladder switching capacitor regulator illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B,there is an inductor 802 between C_(SW4) 216 and C_(OUT) 110 so that thevoltages across these two capacitors, V_(CSW4) and V_(OUT),respectively, can be different.

In some embodiments, in State 0, SW1 820 can be turned on and SW2 822can be turned off, and SW4 832 and SW3 830 can be turned on and off witha duty cycle D₀. Also, in State 1, SW4 832 can be turned on and SW3 830can be turned off, and SW1 820 and SW2 822 can be turned on and off witha duty cycle D₁. The relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 canbe computed as follows:

V_(CSW 3) = V_(OUT)V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 2) → V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 2) = V_(OUT)V_(CSW 2) + V_(CSW 4) = V_(CSW 3) + V_(OUT) → V_(CSW 4) = V_(OUT)D₀V_(CSW 4) = V_(OUT) → D₀ = 1D₁V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 3) − V_(CSW 4) → D₁V_(OUT) = V_(CSW 1)$\begin{matrix}{{V_{IN}102} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 3} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {{D_{1}V_{OUT}} + V_{OUT} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {\left( {2 + D_{1}} \right)V_{OUT}}}\end{matrix}$

As a result,

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be between 2 and 3.

In some embodiments, in State 0, SW4 832 can be turned on and SW3 830can be turned off, and SW1 820 and SW2 822 can be turned on and off witha duty cycle D₀. Also, in State 1, SW1 820 can be turned on and SW2 822can be turned off, and SW3 830 and SW4 832 can be turned on and off witha duty cycle D₁. The relationship between V_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 canbe computed as follows:

V_(CSW 3) = V_(OUT)V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 2) → V_(CSW 3) = V_(CSW 2) = V_(OUT)V_(CSW 2) + V_(CSW 4) = V_(CSW 3) + V_(OUT) → V_(CSW 4) = V_(OUT)D₀V_(OUT) = V_(CSW 4) → D₀ = 1D₁(V_(CSW 1) + V_(CSW 3) − V_(CSW 4)) = V_(CSW 3) → D₁V_(CSW 1) = V_(OUT)$\begin{matrix}{{V_{IN}102} = {V_{{CSW}\; 1} + V_{{CSW}\; 3} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {{V_{OUT}/D_{1}} + V_{OUT} + V_{OUT}}} \\{= {\left( {2 + {1/D_{1}}} \right)V_{OUT}}}\end{matrix}$

As a result,

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

can be equal to or larger than 3. Combined with the configuration in theparagraph above, this regulator can adjust

$\frac{V_{IN}}{V_{OUT}}$

to be equal to or larger than 2.

In some embodiments, the inductor 802 can be placed in differentlocations, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, depending on which one or moreof the switching capacitors have asymmetric voltages. The configurationof FIGS. 8A-8B uses the characteristic that any switching capacitorsthat have an inductor in between them can have asymmetric voltages.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can bebased on other types of switching capacitor regulators. For example, anasymmetric switching capacitor regulator can be based on a Dickson-typeswitching capacitor regulator. Any type of switching capacitor regulatorcan be turned into an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator byinserting one or more inductors between two or more switchingcapacitors.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beoperated as a part of a voltage regulator system. The voltage regulatorsystem can operate in multiple interleaved phases (e.g., in atime-interleaved manner over a single period), and the asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator can be used to provide an output voltagein one of the interleaved phases. For example, a voltage regulatorsystem can include three sets of asymmetric switching capacitors thateach operate 0 degrees, 120 degrees, 240 degrees out of phase,respectively. As another example, a voltage regulator system can includetwo sets of switching inductor regulator and an asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator that each operate 0 degrees, 120 degrees, 240degrees out of phase, respectively.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beused as a step-up regulator by swapping the input node and the outputvoltage node of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate step-up asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorsin accordance with some embodiments. The step-up asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulators of FIGS. 9A-9B are similar to the step-downregulators in FIGS. 8A-8B, respectively, except that the location ofV_(IN) 102 and V_(OUT) 104 are swapped and V_(IN) 102 is lower thanV_(OUT) 104. I_(OUT) 118 and C_(OUT) are still connected to the outputV_(OUT) 104. In a similar fashion, the asymmetric switching capacitorregulators in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B can bechanged to step-up regulators by swapping the input node and the outputvoltage node of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulators in FIGS.4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, and 7B.

In some embodiments, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beused for various applications including power management integratedcircuits (PMICs), battery chargers, LED drivers, envelope tracking poweramplifiers.

In some embodiments, the capacitance of switching capacitors can be setto be proportional to an output current of the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator. The capacitance of switching capacitors can be inthe range of 0.1 nF/mA and 10 nF/mA, depending on the target powerefficiency. The asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can improve itsefficiency by using a larger number of capacitors.

Compared to buck regulators that require bulky discrete inductors in therange of 100 nH to 100 uH, asymmetric switching capacitor regulators canuse significantly smaller inductors that are sometimes small enough tointegrate on-die or on-package. In some embodiments, an asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator can use an inductor having an inductancein the range of 1-100 uH. Such an inductor can be integrated on-chip oron-package. In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitorregulator can use an inductor having an inductance in the range of 100nH-10 uH. Such an inductor can be a discrete inductor that is providedon a printed circuit board (PCB). An inductor on the PCB can improve thepower efficiency of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator becausethe inductance is larger. However, it occupies a larger footprint thanon-chip or on-package inductors with lower inductance values.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beoperated in a reverse direction to operate it as a step-up regulator.For example, an input node of the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator can be coupled to a target load, e.g., a chip, and an outputnode of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can be coupled toan input voltage source, e.g., a battery.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beoperated in a reverse direction to operate it as a battery charger. Forexample, an input node of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorcan be coupled to a power source, e.g., a power line of a UniversalSerial Bus (USB), and an output node of the asymmetric switchingcapacitor regulator can be coupled to a battery.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can beoperated in a reverse configuration (e.g., the input node and the outputnode of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator are switched.) Theoperational direction of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulatorcan be flexibly modified to accommodate various types of input voltagesources and output loads coupled to the input node and the output nodeof the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator.

Various embodiments of the disclosed asymmetric switching capacitorregulator can be used as a battery charger in a battery-operated device.For example, an output node of an asymmetric switching capacitorregulator can be coupled to a battery so that the output voltage and theoutput current of the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator are usedto charge the battery.

The asymmetric switching capacitor regulator can be particularly usefulin charging batteries in a handheld device. A handheld device, such as asmartphone, can use a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery that is configured toprovide a voltage output within the range of approximately 2.8-4.3V,depending on whether the battery is charged or not (e.g., 4.3V whenfully charged, 2.8V when fully discharged). The Li Ion battery in thehandheld device can be charged using a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Thecurrent version of the USB power line uses 5V (and the future versionsof the USB may use even higher voltages), which is higher than thevoltage output of the Li Ion battery. Therefore, the voltage from theUSB power line should be stepped down before it can be used to chargethe Li Ion battery. To this end, the asymmetric switching capacitorregulator can be configured to receive the power line voltage andcurrent from the USB and provide a step-down version of the power linevoltage and current to the Li-Ion battery so that the Li-Ion battery canbe charged based on the voltage and current from the USB.

In some embodiments, the above-identified configuration, in which abattery is charged using a USB power line, can be used in reverse as aUSB On-The-Go (OTG), where the battery in a first device can deliverpower to a second device over USB to charge the second device. In thisscenario, a battery in a first device is configured to deliver currentto a battery in a second device through a USB. Although the outputvoltage of the battery in the first device may be lower than the USBpower line voltage, the asymmetric switching capacitor regulator canoperate in a step-up configuration to step-up the output voltage of thebattery to that of the USB power line. This way, the battery in thefirst device can charge the battery in the second device over the USBpower line.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing device that includes anasymmetric switching capacitor regulator in accordance with someembodiments. The computing device 1000 includes a processor 1002, memory1004, one or more interfaces 1006, an accelerator 1008, and a voltageregulator system 1010. The computing device 1000 may include additionalmodules, fewer modules, or any other suitable combination of modulesthat perform any suitable operation or combination of operations.

In some embodiments, the accelerator 1008 can be implemented in hardwareusing an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The accelerator1008 can be a part of a system on chip (SOC). In other embodiments, theaccelerator 1008 can be implemented in hardware using a logic circuit, aprogrammable logic array (PLA), a digital signal processor(DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), or any other integrated circuit. In somecases, the accelerator 1008 can be packaged in the same package as otherintegrated circuits.

In some embodiments, the voltage regulator system 1010 can be configuredto provide a supply voltage to one or more of the processor 1002, memory1004, and/or an accelerator 1008. The voltage regulator system 1010 caninclude one or more voltage regulator (VR) modules 1012-1 . . . 1012-N.One or more of the VR modules 1012-1 . . . 1012-N can be an asymmetricswitching capacitor regulator, for example, as disclosed in FIGS. 4A,4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, and 10. The one ormore VR modules 1012-1 . . . 1012-N may operate in multiple interleavedphases.

The computing device 1000 can communicate with other computing devices(not shown) via the interface 1006. The interface 1006 can beimplemented in hardware to send and receive signals in a variety ofmediums, such as optical, copper, and wireless, and in a number ofdifferent protocols, some of which may be non-transient.

In some embodiments, the computing device 1000 can include userequipment. The user equipment can communicate with one or more radioaccess networks and with wired communication networks. The userequipment can be a cellular phone having telephonic communicationcapabilities. The user equipment can also be a smart phone providingservices such as word processing, web browsing, gaming, e-bookcapabilities, an operating system, and a full keyboard. The userequipment can also be a tablet computer providing network access andmost of the services provided by a smart phone. The user equipmentoperates using an operating system such as Symbian OS, iPhone OS, RIM'sBlackberry, Windows Mobile, Linux, HP WebOS, Tizen and Android. Thescreen might be a touch screen that is used to input data to the mobiledevice, in which case the screen can be used instead of the fullkeyboard. The user equipment can also keep global positioningcoordinates, profile information, or other location information. Theuser equipment can also be a wearable electronic device.

The computing device 1000 can also include any platforms capable ofcomputations and communication. Non-limiting examples includetelevisions (TVs), video projectors, set-top boxes or set-top units,digital video recorders (DVR), computers, netbooks, laptops, and anyother audio/visual equipment with computation capabilities. Thecomputing device 1000 can be configured with one or more processors thatprocess instructions and run software that may be stored in memory. Theprocessor also communicates with the memory and interfaces tocommunicate with other devices. The processor can be any applicableprocessor such as a system-on-a-chip that combines a CPU, an applicationprocessor, and flash memory. The computing device 1000 can also providea variety of user interfaces such as a keyboard, a touch screen, atrackball, a touch pad, and/or a mouse. The computing device 1000 mayalso include speakers and a display device in some embodiments. Thecomputing device 1000 can also include a bio-medical electronic device.

It is to be understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limitedin its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable ofother embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, systems and methods for carryingout the several purposes of the disclosed subject matter. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including suchequivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spiritand scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Although the disclosed subject matter has been described and illustratedin the foregoing exemplary embodiments, it is understood that thepresent disclosure has been made only by way of example, and thatnumerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosedsubject matter may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosed subject matter, which is limited only by the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A voltage regulator, configured to receive aninput voltage at an input node and to provide an output voltage at anoutput node, comprising: an inductor; a first capacitor configured toaccommodate a first voltage; a second capacitor configured toaccommodate a second voltage; a switch matrix that is configured toalternate between a first configuration and a second configuration,wherein, in the first configuration, the switch matrix is configured tocouple the first capacitor and the second capacitor in a parallelrelationship through the inductor, and wherein, in the secondconfiguration, the switch matrix is configured to couple the firstcapacitor and the second capacitor in a series relationship between theinput node and a ground node; and a plurality of power switchesconfigured to induce a current through the inductor to provide a voltagedifferential between the first voltage and the second voltage in thefirst configuration.
 2. The voltage regulator of claim 1, wherein, inthe first configuration, the inductor and the first capacitor are in aseries relationship, and the inductor and the first capacitor arecollectively in a parallel relationship with the second capacitor. 3.The voltage regulator of claim 1, wherein the first capacitor is aswitching capacitor and the second capacitor is a decoupling capacitor.4. The voltage regulator of claim 1, wherein the first capacitor and thesecond capacitor are switching capacitors that are, in the firstconfiguration, at a same layer of a stack of capacitors coupling theinput node and the ground node.
 5. The voltage regulator of claim 4,wherein, in the second configuration, the second capacitor is coupled tothe output node and is in parallel with a decoupling capacitor.